Religion In Olaudah Equiano

The Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, written by Equiano himself, tells the story of Equiano’s tough, yet good life. In this narrative, one prevalent theme in his religion. Beginning with beliefs of the African Creator, Equiano had come to know the British Christian God as his own during his time as a slave. His time as a slave was filled with violence, cruelty and disrespect, yet Equiano did not emerge as an angry individual when he gained his freedom. In some way, his religion had an imperative effect on his actions and his feelings. For Equiano, religion served as a foundation when Equiano was a kid, an anchor when he was a young adult, and a guide when he was a freed man.

Equiano’s narrative begins

with explaining his African religion in the Eboe tribe. He explains customs and his tribe’s beliefs such as circumcision, cleansing before entering the home, and more traditions similar to the Jewish religion. His narrative of his life truly begins in chapter two when he and his sister are captured by two men and a woman while they were watching the house. Eventually separated, Equiano was alone and afraid and the only property he owned was his religion. At the time, he still believed in the Creator (the African god), which, despite his change later in the narrative, played a significant role in his life. He even admits this at the beginning of chapter two. He says that it has “been implanted in” him “with great care and” has “made an impression on” his “mind. (Equiano, 24). Equiano’s words are proved to be true when he is enslaved in his early years. When serving his first master (post-capture), he was ordered to help an elderly woman tend and cook her chickens. One day while feeding the chickens, Equiano accidentally killed a chicken and was harshly reprimanded by the woman when she found out. He did have to tell her the truth because it was what he was taught as a kid from his Eboe tribe customs. As explained in the text, Equiano even “expected an instant flogging”, but hid and was shown mercy in the morning (Equiano, 26). Being raised with his African customs set a foundation on who Equiano is as a person and what he expects from the world.
The first encounter of Equiano and Christianity was mentioned briefly in chapter three when he experienced snow for the first time with his master while being docked in England.

There he attended church and understood that they worshiped “God, who made us and all things.” (Equiano, 39). Afterwards, he began to grow as a Christian and experienced “Providence” (Equiano, 52). Starting with the vision that John Mundle received from St. Peter “to repent” for his “time was short” (Equiano, 52). One night, during an attack, sure enough Mundle was killed while approaching his cabin. Several other instances are noted when several people have fallen from high places aboard the ship, but survived because of God “without whose permission a sparrow cannot fall.” (Equiano, 53). A pattern has been noticed in his narrative called the “existential rug-pull” which Equiano has a positive experience such as “the kindness of a (white) master”, but will later have some sort of negative experience such as being “cheated” or “beaten” (Davidson, 20). This is a cycle that continues throughout his life, most notably when he is still a slave. However, in the midst of all the trials, he relies on one thing: his christianity. A notable example would be when he is aboard Lieutenant Pascal’s ship. Not only did Equiano love Pascal as his master, but aboard the same ship, he met Daniel Queen. Queen taught Equiano how to dress hair, taught him to read and he claimed that Queen “was like a father to” him

(Equiano, 56). Sure enough, Equiano was later sold to Captain Doran. However, he was only reminded of God and his mercy each time he suffered. After being sold, it is described that he “threw” himself “on the deck” with his “heart ready to burst with sorrow and anguish” (Equiano, 58). Still Equiano trusts his God and believes that this experience was God teaching him “wisdom and resignation.” (Equiano, 59). Equiano faith helped him through all his trials and tribulations and his belief led him to become a obedient and hardworking slave. His kindness and integrity is proved through letters from his masters such as King and Irving. King wrote that Equiano “was always well behaved” and Irving praises him for his “strict honesty...and fidelity.”(Jaros, 10). His actions spoke for themselves to his masters proving his religion in this part of his life was an anchor to his moral and his patience.
Finally, in chapter seven, Equiano is able to pay for his freedom in 1766 for forty pounds.

His Christianity is still present in his life at this time, if anything, he became more active since he was free. He still held still kept his moral character and faith which led him to keep his promises and serve in the abolition movement. As a slave, Equiano doesn’t get paid so the money he came by was not easy to earn. He spent “four years trading small goods” such as “glass tumblers” and “citrus fruits.” (Bugg, 1045). As a true believer would, Equiano praised God with Psalm 126 after gaining his freedom, proving his that his faith and good character would continue. As promised, he “obediently answered” his “benefactors” and returned as a “sailor” earning “thirty six shillings per month.”(Equiano, 91). Equiano continued to serve as an english sailor man, and was willing to go back to Africa as a missionary, but could not because the bishops refused to ordain him. One notable moment in his abolition career is when he was able to petition for his fellow African brothers to the Queen in 1788. He wrote a petition trying to persuade the Queen to allow the slaves to be freed and “partake of the blessings of” the “Majesty’s happy government.” (Equiano, 159). An interesting point here is that he addresses her in the most peaceful way. In no circumstance does he thrust ill-will towards her in his petition which proves how his good morale from his faith has affected him. In his closing

paragraph, he concludes with how he looks for “the hand of God” in the smallest of moments to learn “morality and religion”, and even if it is such a small task, it is important to him. This is the final comment that proves to his readers that religion has served such an important role in his life and explains where he received his good character from. Throughout his freed life, it is shown that religion acted as a guide and led him to be an obedient sailorman and a peaceful abolitionist.
Equiano’s religion throughout his life has its moments, but his faith is shown through his actions throughout his whole life. It was the cause of his obedience and dedication aboard ships and his abolition movement. Religion played vital roles in each stage of his life. As a child, it gave him a basis to live out. As a young adult, it served as an anchor of hope that his circumstances would get better. Finally, as an freed man, it served as a path for him to follow to continue his good morale and contribution to freeing his fellow African brothers.